Alanna Cavanagh

What a lovely night

2012-01-25T22:18:00.001-08:00

Salon night with some of my favourite designs gals
Lynda, Kim, Janet, Jennifer, Donna + Colleen

:-)

What a lovely night it was.
ps. Donna brought that great bouquet from a shoot earlier in the day. :-)

This is tomorrow

2012-01-19T21:25:00.001-08:00

Creative Morning Two!
Looking forward the danishes + coffee...

Zab + The Parkdale Wallpaper Company

2012-01-19T19:20:00.000-08:00

My friend Zab who has long worked as a typographer + graphic designer has recently started an exciting new venture: The Parkdale Wallpaper Company.

Her new company produces gorgeous custom wallpaper designs - many with a strong typography vibe to them - which will appeal to design nerds everywhere.

Recently Zab created a custom skin for her iphone with her new company logo on it.
How great eh?
The "5" design gives you an idea of what the wallpaper will look like...
but to see it in person.... you'll have to come to Zab's launch.

Zab is launching her line during Toronto Design week
Sat January 28th
1-3 pm
at MADE
867 Dundas Street West
See you there.

2012-01-17T09:52:00.000-08:00

"Work is the process of turning ideas into objects or acts"
-Hegel

(In other words... Get it outta your head and onto the paper)

2012-01-13T15:24:00.001-08:00

It's been a full week....

Looking for Geek?

2012-01-13T12:05:00.001-08:00

copyright Alanna Cavanagh 2012

If you are.... I've got the person for you.
Robyn Harrison is my Go to Geek for all my tech issues.
She specializes in Apple Computers and can do everything from setting up your printer to installing a new hard drive to giving you private lessons on any Apple product. She's also friendly, affordable and does housecalls.
Highly recommended.
www.robynharrison.com

ps. Robyn is also a talented photographer which you will see from her website. :-)

2012-01-11T07:08:00.001-08:00

If ya wanna know what's on my mind... check my Pinterest boards

2012-01-10T15:10:00.000-08:00

I'm working on a bunch of illustration assignments this week so won't have much time to blog.
In the meantime if you wanna know what juicy things I'm thinking about you can always check out my Pinterest boards!
Here are a few faves this week.

Pinned onto "Books to Order":

The new tome on Alexander Girard by Todd Oldman.
Girard is best known for the bold colourful textiles that he created for Herman Miller - and he has long been a Total Mentor. Todd Oldman is a Mentor too. :-)

Pinned onto "Inspiration":

These adorable Stag + Hedgehog lampshades by UK based Lush Designs.
(Discovered thru Living Etc magazine)
Lush design = Marie Rodgers + Maria Livings. They seem like my kind o'women! Hilarious.

Pinned onto "Funny Writing":

Yep two.
I find this to be quite true...

See you in Pinland!

Images from weekend

2012-01-10T05:53:00.001-08:00

Liz + Steve who I don't get to see near enuf!

Fun party at Ghislaine's new house (Quite SIGH worthy)

Sketch: Semiotics professor

2012-01-04T22:20:00.005-08:00

Spotted at the Manulife Centre Dec 31st 2011.
Looked very french.

A Few Favourites of 2011

2012-01-02T20:23:00.000-08:00

1. Favourite tool: My new iPhone.

LOVE.

2. Favourite Shop/ Rebrand: The Bay!

With CEO Bonnie Brooks at the helm (plus her staff - including the fabulous Arren Williams - yes editorial bias here!) the store has become the epitome of "Cozy Canadiana cool".
I just love all the new products inspired by the iconic striped blanket.

A new book on the Hudson's Bay Co book published by the very styley publisher Assouline.

A cute tee created in collaboration with Shared.

*The Bay's new Bannock restaurant + Foodwares market are also fantastic.*

This is the dining area in the new Foodwares market.
Love that Wall mural.
Again very Cozy Canadiana Cool.

3. Favourite new Style icon :
Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander in the Girl with the Dragon tattoo.

Very kick ass.
I predict she will inspire the return of short hair.

4. Favourite novel: A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.

5. Favourite design book: Fornasetti by Patrick Mauries

6. Favourite New Social media gizmo: Pinterest!
LOVE.

A fabulous way to categorize all the great stuff that comes flooding at us on a daily basis.
Their Alexa Rating is now at 209. (!!)
hmm might need to buy some stock when it goes public.... :-)
If you haven't discovered it yet check it out here.

I had lots more faves... will post in the weeks to come.
Happy New Year Everybody.

Inspiration: Unzipped

2012-01-02T15:04:00.000-08:00

Over the holidays I rewatched one of my favourite docs: Unzipped.
The doc follows designer Isaac Mizrahi as he plans his fall 1994 collection.
Directed by Douglas Keeve.

Very inspirational + a great peek inside the creative process.

Isaac Mizrahi drawing + deeply focused. I LOVE this photo.

In his Manhattan apt kvetching to a friend and freaking out re: his upcoming show. (Classic creative person!) Decor note: Love the salon wall!

One of my favourite people in the doc is Issac's producer Nina Santisi. (Above in headset) She is so grounded, organized + supportive - ie. what every zany creative person needs! When Issac's show is a success she is the first person he calls. Significant.

Photos from Xmas in Chicago

2012-01-01T13:09:00.000-08:00

Off we go.
I love Porter Airline's branding which was created by former Wallpaper editor Tyler Brulé and his firm WINKREATIVE. Who knew you could make a raccoon look sophisticated?

The exterior of our hotel: The James. I loved their graphic + interior design as well!
(Ofcourse that's why I picked it!!)
Look at that great sideways sign. :-) Very welcoming.

Gorgeous lobby. :-)

Bedroom.
(my bed at home feels very small now....)

Loved this cozy reading /dining nook + this unique liquor cabinet based on an old steamer trunk.

Chicago skyline!

The famous Marina City also known as the corn cob buildings. :-)
Designed in 1959 by architect Bertrand Goldberg.

First dinner = Chicago Deep dish pizza. Boy was it deep...

The "Chicago Picasso" in Daley plaza.

Chicago is jam packed with incredible public art. This is due to the fact that the city passed a law stipulating that 1.33% of the cost of constructing a building must be devoted to original artwork.
As a result a walk in the Loop area = bumping into incredible pieces by Picasso, Chagall, Miro + Calder. (!!)

The Four Seasons mosaic by Marc Chagall in Chase Tower Plaza.
Dedicated in 1974.

Some close ups.

Christmas eve dinner at mk.

5 stars!
They made the most fabulous cocktails and the decor was to die for.

Here is my cocktail called Holiday Smash .
(My company at the table was smashing too - Groan!)

Thanks so much to fellow blogger Heather Retke for recommending mk + many other great spots.

A trip to Millennium Park

Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate aka the Bean.

Frank Gehry's amazing Pritzker bandshell.

A trip to the Chicago Institute of Art

Love love this piece by Toulouse Latrec - especially that ghostly women' face.

Ofcourse many folk lining up to photograph the Institute' most famous piece: A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by George Seurat.

*Curmudgeon Note*: When I witness scenes like this it always makes me think that John Ruskin would be rolling in his grave! The Victorian Art critic despised the camera and feared that the invention of it would lead to people focusing on capturing the moment for the FUTURE rather than LOOKING at what was in front of them in the PRESENT.
I heartily agree.

This was my favourite piece in the Institute's collection:
Green and White my Ellsworth Kelly. Love.

Perfect ending to trip:
Cozy flight home with red wine + latest issue of Canadian House + Home.
Loved this interview with Jenna Lyons of J. Crew (Total mentor!!) written by the lovely Catherine Sweeney. Thanks Kim. xo

Thank you Style Files

2011-12-30T12:48:00.000-08:00

Photo by Janet Kimber

Today my Big Orange Scissor print was featured on The Style files: a Dutch Interior Design blog written by Danielle de Lange. The Style files has a ton of inspirational photos plus an online shop Le Souk, which contains lots of beautiful + very unique home decor goodies. Definitely worth a look!

Artscape Xmas party

2011-12-21T21:41:00.001-08:00

Colleen, Jen and Lise.

Lise, Calder, and Chris.

A warm + wonderful time. :-)

2011-12-21T15:58:00.001-08:00

Inspiration: Comedian + Writer Demetri Martin

2011-12-21T07:55:00.000-08:00

Demetri Martin is talking about his creative process on Q right now.
Really great. Smart + funny.

Some good lines:
"I have to make sure my writing is a by product of my life" (ie. authentic - not just carried out for a goal of making a movie)

"If I spend the day making things I feel good. If I spend the day reading Twitter I feel lousy"

" I love Stand up comedy because it gives me a short feedback loop"
The same could be said of blogging. :-)

New print: Lacey legs

2011-12-19T23:05:00.001-08:00

This is my new silk screen print "Lacey legs".
It is signed and numbered from an edition of 40.
It measures 6" x 9"and is 75.00

ps. I love to wear cropped pants like this.

Whittle in Down

2011-12-19T19:56:00.000-08:00

"There are too many people and things in the world. Having a passion whittles down the world to manageable size".

-Susan Orlean, The Orchid Thief

(I watched Adaptation last week and found a lot of comfort in this quote. There ARE too many things....)

"What do prices reflect?" by Artist William Powhida

2011-12-17T19:33:00.001-08:00

Thought provoking.
You can see a much better version here.
(Over holidays i really wanna learn how to make images clearer in blogger!!) Blerg!

Some images from last couple weeks

2011-12-15T21:30:00.000-08:00

Invite to a very fun shopping night at West Elm.
They really know how to put on a party: Twinkly lights, Christmas cocktails and catering by Mildred Pierce.

Valerie - holding groovy tea towel - plus delish frites + mayo. yum.

Thrilled to find this Iznik Dhurrie (which I had been stalking) on super sale. (115 wow)
Valerie fulfilled her duty as perfect shopping partner and said "BUY IT!"
Here it is at home adding a nice splash of colour on my office.
One of my many decor mottos= "You can never have too many rugs."
(I am definitely not a minimalist!)

Q LIVE

Tori treated me to tickets to Q Live at Glenn Gould Studio. and it was a stellar show.

The National were the live musical guests. They played 2 brand new, unreleased songs: "Rylan" and "I Need My Girl".

.Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) then joined them for a beautiful rendition of Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks.

Thanks so much Tori.

Preparing letters + Xmas gifts to be sent out to some special people. :-)

I'm back!

2011-12-15T11:33:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody
I did a major upgrade to my computer + couldn't get into the blogger dashboard for a week --- hence no posts! Glad to be back. Lots of fun hijinks in last week : Very fun West Elm / Style at home evening with Valerie including xmas cocktails, Mildred Pierce snacks + a new orange rug i got on super sale! whoo hoo.
Plus Q Live last Thurs with Jian Ghomeshi, The National + Justin Vernon! (Bon Iver)
Thank you Tori!

Catch up posts coming soon.

Sketch

2011-12-06T12:22:00.001-08:00

On taking a pause....

2011-12-06T11:29:00.001-08:00

File under Books to read over Xmas

2011-12-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

A collection from the Hand drawn Map association. - great website!

Discovery: Edholm Ullenius

2011-12-06T07:24:00.000-08:00

They sure look Swedish - yah?

Some IKEA fabrics they have designed.

wow. Just discovered Edholm Ullenius: a graphic design & illustration studio based in Stockholm. Founded by Sissi Edholm + Lisa Ullenius in 2002. They have designed a lot of my favorite Ikea textiles. Clients also include Paul Smith.

Margot Austin has joined House + Home

2011-12-06T07:16:00.001-08:00

Exciting!
Congrats Margot.

Photos from my Holiday Sale

2011-12-04T20:39:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much to everyone who came by my studio on Saturday.
You helped make it a great afternoon.
Extra special thanks to my brother Danny, Araceli + sweet Myles for your amazing help.

Araceli helping me prepare

Lovely customers

Kathryn Klar + Vivien Leong

Display of cards

Mandy, me + Walter

Kelly from Y + CO

and her adorable son Ash. (who specified that he'd like "sparkling water") :-)!!

Mary de Bruyn + son

And his rocking socks - handmade by his mum!

My home

Peter Rogers and the amazing Eames chair tee he made for me.
Isn't it great? Can't wait to wear it.

Marnie + Colin and Alan + Ken

My new lacey legs print and Lise Down + Prof. David Booth

Kimberley Brown + Araceli and Andrew + Mark

New Espresso card

Tori + Jeff and Janet +Marie

Janet Kim signing the guestbook and Araceli holding up my print

Pre sale Prep!

2011-12-04T13:12:00.001-08:00

A few shots from last week of pre sale prep.

Painting the back wall of my studio with chalk board paint!

Sweet brother Danny helps assemble a shelf

New Kitty cards drying

Typewriter cards drying

Need a great xmas playlist? Down load here!

2011-12-01T16:14:00.001-08:00

I have been screening + painting (chalkboard paint!!) all day while listening to this fantastic xmas playlist called TINSEL courtesy of the Drake General Store.

Especially like A Thing For Me by Metronomy [Breakbot Remix]
To get yours download here.

Madly screening for my Sale this Sat Dec 3rd!

2011-12-01T10:31:00.001-08:00

Making more Empty Belly prints

The typewriter cards will be available on Saturday.

There will also be Prints, Artists proofs at great prices + Hot Cider.

SFgirlbythebay: Modern Bohemian Style

2011-12-01T09:57:00.000-08:00

I have recently started to subscribe to the very popular blog SFgirlbythebay by Victoria Smith and opening up the post each morning is like unfolding a dense + juicy jewel (I know weird metaphor!) that leads to many other inspiring people + worlds.
For eg. this morning she features the home of UK stylist + writer Emily Chalmers which is jammed packed with inspiration + fleamarkety goodness. (see above!)
Highly recommended.
ps. Victoria has been enthusiastically blogging since 2006 and is a fellow contributor to uppercase magazine.

Man i love sofa

2011-11-30T21:42:00.000-08:00

by Jonathan Adler

LOVE the juicy colour, vintage design + high back.

One of my all time fave interiors designers Ilse Crawford believes all couches should have high sides + backs. She says they're like "a room within a room where we can feel protected + safe". Agreed.

ps. When did Jonathan Adler start designing furniture?

A visit to Kim's house

2011-11-30T21:00:00.001-08:00

A visit to my friend Kim's house is always inspirational.
She's one of the savviest decorators I know - cuz she knows where to save (she found those great chairs out on the curb on garbage day!) and where to invest - for eg in that fabulous George Nelson light!
She also knows how to mix old + new and high + low with aplomb!

Here is her kitchen with my Empty Belly print framed in white.
(Lovely framing done by Telegramme prints FYI!))
I love how she painted the top + bottom cupboards different colours and added groovy vintage looking glass knobs from home depot! Saavy!

2011-11-30T12:07:00.000-08:00

A visit to Penguin Canada

2011-11-29T23:53:00.001-08:00

Today on a very rainy Tuesday I headed to Penguin Canada to drop off my prints.

The entrance way of Penguin is lined with enlarged versions of several beautifully illustrated penguin book covers.
Two of my favourites: Glen Gould by Joe Morse and Emily Carr by Jody Hewgill. Apologies for the lousy photo - they are great covers.

Here are my 3 prints waiting to be hung in the boardroom.

Thanks so much to President Mike Bryan + his assistant Claire Holmes. xo

Warning: Design Blogs may be hazardous to your health!

2011-11-29T12:03:00.001-08:00

Ever notice how you can feel saturated and paralyzed after reading too many designy type blogs? Sarah over at Apt therapy wrote a great post today on how to combat this overwhelming feeling (also known at Pinterest fatigue!) and love the space you're in! Tips include decluttering + rearranging furniture + art. You can read all the tips here.

Chicago!

2011-11-29T05:29:00.000-08:00

I am off to Chicago in a few weeks.
If you're from the Windy City and have some suggestions for my trip don't hold back!
Thanks.

Very inky over here on the weekend

2011-11-28T20:20:00.001-08:00

On the weekend in prep for my holiday sale next Saturday I printed a new edition of my big brogue shoe print.
I printed a varied edition with ochre, teal + blue versions.
Below are some pics of the process.

After the first pass with ochre ink the prints dry in my map drawers.

Here are the blue ones.

The very important pizza dinner break with my assistant.

Next day pass 2 with black ink.

Finished prints drying.

Press: National Post

2011-11-27T21:52:00.003-08:00

My Island of Dr. Moreau Penguin Print was featured in the Homes section of the National Post on Saturday in an article on what to buy for the literary lover on your list. Thanks to writer Iris Benaroia.

2011-11-27T21:52:00.001-08:00

Creative Morning 1 was Fantastic

2011-11-25T16:42:00.000-08:00

Helen Kerr and Nigel Smith of Kerr Smith Design.

The Design Exchange setting was A+, the Helen Kerr/ Nigel Smith talk was fantastic,
and the danishes + coffee delish!
Congrats to Behrouz Hariri for organizing all.
Added bonus: The 2011 Design Exchange Awards Exhibit was up and was quite great.
Much to write about - but am dashing out! For now see some pics at the CM blog here.
Will write a longer post about it tomorrow.

This is tomorrow!

2011-11-24T21:17:00.001-08:00

I am very much not a morning person -- I'm glad there'll be coffee + hot pastries waiting....

2011-11-22T12:24:00.001-08:00

My favourite apt from a movie ever

2011-11-21T22:34:00.000-08:00

Meg Ryan's Manhattan apt in Kate + Leopold. SIGH.
Love the messy mix of vintage + modern.
Love the bench by the door, the rounded mirror + very cozy lighting.

I own this movie and every year or so I watch it so I can melt into Meg Ryan's wonderful apt.
It's an amazingly warm space full of a great furniture, rugs, mirrors, and art work.
(Stuart's apt upstairs is also fab with great vintage storage!!)
Watching the movie is the equivalent of wrapping myself up in a warm blankie.
I watched it again last night and it did not fail to inspire.
If you like these kind of interiors I can't recommend it enough.

Images from Weekend

2011-11-21T22:07:00.001-08:00

Gallery night at Clint Roenisch and mocca.

Albert Zuger Jewelry Trunk show.

Cozy Parkdale home.

Albert Zuger.

Sasha modelling her partner's wares!

Close up of necklace. Beautiful.

Dinner in.
(Sooo much nicer than being out at a gallery I must say)

A visit with Colleen.

My Empty belly Print in Colleen's great space.
(from Colleen's Instagram)

A beautiful bottle used for dish soap. What great solution for a normally rather unsightly item!
Yes I get excited over this type of thing.

In a Gertrude Stein state o' mind

2011-11-20T20:44:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I went to see Midnight in Paris with my dear friend Eric. I thought some of the dialogue + acting was appalling bad! (This was written by the same man who wrote Annie Hall?!)

However I loved the middle section where the Owen Wilson character is transported back to early 20th century Paris and hangs out with all the famous expats of the time.
Above Zelda + F.S Fitzgerald.

The Art director did a great job of recreating the look + feel Gertrude Stein's salon.

I'm very familiar with this group of artists + writers because several years ago I illustrated a book about Gertrude Stein + her famous circle called "Charmed Circle". (Below) The art director was Raquel Jaramillo and it was published by Henry Holt.

From left to right:
Matisse, Picasso, Getrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas, Zelda + F. Scott Fitzgerald, + Hemingway

Below are a few drawings from the sketch phase of the assignment.

If you're interested in this period I highly recommend the book.

Great booth design and How I love Pinterest

2011-11-17T18:20:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Kreyssig of The IDS show sent me this photo of a great booth design today. (She is tracking down the source... she knows the company is French!)

I love the scaled up fabric and etched looking door with the "Alice in Wonderland' vibe. Also love those pendant lights. The photo went straight onto my Pinterest Board of murals + window display.
I am continuing to find Pinterest a great (and very speedy!) way to neatly organize one's inspiration + all the visual goodness one finds on the web. Highly recommended!
ps. Anybody have a great source for these kind of pendant lamps? :-)

A triptych for Penguin Canada

2011-11-17T10:18:00.000-08:00

President of Penguin Books Canada Mike Bryan has just purchased three of my prints for the Canadian head office. The triptych contains the very last Blue penguin I had for sale! I can't think of a more worthy recipient.

The photo is from the weekend as I put the finishing touches on the tea stains and coffee rings.(Yes i paint in the livingroom sometimes... I know outrageous)

ps. I will be doing some new book titles in the new year. Please write in with your suggestions for what book title you'd love to see hanging on your wall. Thanks!

Comfort

2011-11-17T07:47:00.000-08:00

"You caught me on a funny day... I'm not feeling very confidant today."
- Chris Martin on Q this morning

New Print No. 2 for Bata shoe museum: Librarian shoe

2011-11-15T11:36:00.001-08:00

Here is the matching sister shoe to the t strap shoe which I screened last week.
It also measures 5" X 7".
It is signed and numbered from an edition of 60 and is 60.00.

Below as always a peek behind the process.

Mixing the ochre ink = yellow + brown + titch of red

After pass 1

Applying the black ink

Completed print.

Sunburst mirror

2011-11-14T23:55:00.000-08:00

Love this sunburst mirror from Chair Table Lamp. These mirrors always remind me of Tommy Smythe. That's a very good thing. Unfortunately by the time I spotted it - it was sold. Hopefully Kevin will find another!

Ian + Carl Beam

2011-11-13T17:05:00.000-08:00

On Sunday I visited Telegramme prints and owner Ian showed me some new stuff which he just bought at auction. Here he is holding up an amazing new Carl Beam print.

Bella Foster's Central Park

2011-11-13T09:10:00.002-08:00

Bella Foster's Central Park. Gorgeous.
Sold through Wayne Pate's shop. Check out the shop - his work is also great.
Love the complete monochromatic palette and looseness of her work.

The Arthur

2011-11-12T21:38:00.001-08:00

On Saturday I visited The Arthur: a new vintage decor shop run by Liz Ikiriko. I'd been meaning to visit the shop ever since seeing the pics and reading about it on Emma's blog.

The Arthur is named after Liz's grandfather who was a collector of many wonderous things. The shop began as an online venture before finding it's bricks and mortar home at College + Euclid.

Loved this giant A.
Liz said they actually had to chop off a foot to get it in the door!

Wonderful display.

The shop is crammed with great items sourced from estate sales + auctions and is beautifully displayed on wonderful shelving made by her talented + handy partner Clay. Lucky Liz!!

This Junghans Bedside Clock is from their online shop and I think I need it now.
Love that red second hand.

I bought a great hat form with lots of patina which will be a perfect new holder for my bike helmet. Will be back for Christmas shopping...

The Arthur, 550A College St., 416-972-0725. Highly recommended.

Creative Morning Toronto 1

2011-11-08T21:54:00.001-08:00

Here's the details:

When: November 25th 8:30am

Where: The beautiful Design Exchange.

Speakers: Helen Kerr + Nigel Smith, of KerrSmith Design

New Print " T strap shoe" for Bata shoe museum

2011-11-08T18:36:00.000-08:00

I have a new print "T strap shoe".
It measures 5" X 7" and is 60.00. It is from an edition of 60.
Here is a bit of the process behind the print.

This print was commissioned by the Bata Shoe museum to coincide with their Roaring Twenties exhibit.

So.. Naturally Step 1 was to visit the exhibit!

Our Beautiful Bata Shoe museum designed by Raymond Moriyama.

This is an amazing show -- and it runs till June 2012 -- so still plenty of time to see it!

Some great boots.

Groovy t straps very popular in the 1920s. (I wish they made shoes like this now!)

Check out these floral beauties. Gorge!

Many shoes in the exhibit were created by Andre Perugia a French designer discovered by French fashion designer Paul Poiret. (who I find very fascinating)

Here are some incredible gold shoes designed by Andre Perugia in the 1920s. The roses show the influence of Paul Poiret.

And... here is Andy Warhol's interpretation of the Perugia shoes above created in the 1950s. (Neat eh?)

Step 2: Filled with visions of shoes in my head I begin doing sketches.

Step 3: I decide on the t strap and librarian shoe and get a screen made.

Here is the screen.

Step 4: I cover over + tape the portion of the screen that I'm not using.

Step 5: Mix the pink ink.
Formula = white + magenta + red + retarder (which slows down the drying process)

Step 6: Apply the pink ink with spatula and pull with squeegee.

Ta da. First pass.

Step 7: Apply black ink for layer 2 and pull with squeegee.

Whoosh.

Completed print.

ps! This week I am working on a 2nd print "Librarian shoe" to match this one. It will be same size + price and methinks they would work nicely as a set.
Did I mention Christmas is coming?

Grace Bonney in Toronto December 7th

2011-11-08T17:47:00.000-08:00

Connected to yesterday's post: Grace Bonney will be in Toronto December 7th for the launch of her book Design Sponge at Home.

Apt therapy Evening with Grace Bonney of Design Sponge

2011-11-07T18:51:00.000-08:00

Grace Bonney and Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan
(Two Pioneers of the Design blogging world)

Wow just watched this fantastic video of Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan interviewing Grace Bonney of Design Sponge. The evening was part of Apartment therapy's monthly meet up series.

I was really impressed with Grace's articulate and thoughtful answers.
Topics included:
The diverse jobs which Grace held before starting Design Sponge.
Ethics in blogging ie. Her belief that one should write about what one honestly believes in - rather than being bribed by free pillows! Right on.
The wonderful Biz Ladies series which Grace created to assist women starting out in business.
The future of blogs + publishing.
The background behind her new book Design Sponge at Home.

I think it's quite great that Apt therapy tapes these talks! The next best thing to being there at ABC Carpet in NYC!
*Highly recommended - especially if you run a small design related business.

Another great Design women evening

2011-11-03T10:27:00.003-07:00

Interior Designer Jennifer Lawrence, Textile artist Heather Shaw (owner of Pi'lo) and Janet.

Art director Colleen Nicholson and Photographer Donna Griffith

Food: Janet's Veggie curry + Heather's homemade cookies.:-)

A-mazing: 'Outside the box' by Joseph Pelling.

2011-11-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

How adorable are these espresso sipping characters?

I like to think "Outside the box"

Animated short film Outside the box by UK based Joseph Pelling.
One of the best things I've ever seen.
Love the illustration, animation and writing.

New Work: Wide pants + bow shoes

2011-10-27T23:15:00.001-07:00

This week I started work on a new print.
For inspiration I turned to this HUE packaging. I've always found HUE's styling + photography to be totally inspirational and I just loved these vintagey looking shoes with the bows.

Here's the first sketch inspired by the shoes.

For fun I tried a version using a photograph of lace. I scanned the lace in and then put it together in Photoshop.

I created this red version by going into the Image menu in Photoshop and changing from RGB mode to montone mode. I then choose red.
I think all 3 versions work so I plan to do a varied edition when I produce this print.
Next step is to make the screen....

Creative Morning video by Sharon Ann Lee

2011-10-25T23:39:00.000-07:00

Great talk by trend analyst/author Sharon Ann Lee.

This is one of the slides from her talk. What quadrant are you in on this work/happiness map? You can watch here.

Jian + Gary Shteyngart

2011-10-25T22:15:00.001-07:00

Jian Ghomeshi + Gary Shteyngart
(Don't you love that unshaved look?) yum.

On Saturday I went to see Gary Shteyngart at The IFOA. He did a hilarious reading of Super Sad True Love story followed by a hilarious interview with Jian Ghomeshi. Really... it was a laugh a minute.
Some favourite lines:
"A bunch of us writers in New York meet every night at Café Sabarsky to bemoan the end of literature. Between 11pm and 2 am is the Crying Hour. We all freak out... and we all have an HBO series in our pocket."
"As Jonathan Franzen says "Welcome to Fiction... the new poetry!"
"Being the child of immigrant parents I work 3 times harder than any of my peers - cuz I don't have a trust fund to fall back on."
Part of the interview will be played on Q tomorrow (Wed Oct 26). Highly recommended!

ps. The time has come for me to declare that I think Jian is a National Treasure.
Yes very corny.

Creative Mornings is coming to Toronto!

2011-10-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

Wow just checked the website and see that Creative Mornings is finally coming to Toronto!!
The Toronto Organizer is Designer Behrouz Hariri. Can't wait for the first meeting. Bagels, coffee, fresh ideas + creative cross pollination! whoo hoo. See you there.

2011-10-23T19:51:00.000-07:00

My friend Sasha sent me this pic of my abc typewriter print in her bedroom. I think that's one of the most stunning dressers I've ever seen.

Some screening shots

2011-10-21T09:10:00.001-07:00

whoosh!

Press: Design Lines

2011-10-18T20:34:00.002-07:00

The Winter Issue of Design Lines hit stores today!
It is beautifully designed as always by Melissa + Henry of Sali Tabacchi.
(Yes I'm biased:-))

The issue includes a big feature on paper goods made by Canadian artists. My silk screened Alphabet cards are included in the list. See below.

The list also includes great cards from Kid Icarus + Whigby. (who I adore!)
(Whigby is founded by the talented + funny Frank Viva. I will write a full post on him at some point!)

A close up of my Alphabet cards

Available at:
TYPE books
883 Queen St. West Toronto
and
Good egg
267 Augusta Ave. Toronto

ps. The issue also includes a feature on the gorgeous home of Paul Bain + Isa Spalding written by my friend Alison Garwood Jones. Way to go Alison.
pss. Look at that Paul Smith Rug. Soooo juicy. Also I love the painting over the sofa. It reads "Over the Sofa". Wish I thought of that.

Images from Weekend

2011-10-17T13:42:00.001-07:00

Occupy Toronto at King and Bay

The Crowd gathers before marching to St. James Park

My neighbour Richard Storms' paintbrushes

Richard Storms' oil paints

Foodstock
photo by Brian Banks

Film: Guest of Cindy Sherman

2011-10-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

Director Paul Ho + Art superstar Cindy Sherman (who was soon to become his girlfriend)
Fashion note: Cindy Sherman has great style in this doc. Understated elegance.

Watched a very fun film with my neighbour Richard tonight: Guest of Cindy Sherman which chronicles director Paul H-O's five year relationship with art superstar Cindy Sherman.
In addition to hilariously showing the perils of being a famous person's "plus one" it also explores art's symbiotic (often absurd) relationship with commerce + celebrity. Fascinating + funny plus serves as a great crash course in the Art world circa 1995-2005. (Appearances by Eric Fischl, Tracey Emin, Julian Schnabel and more.)

Writer Chris Hedges

2011-10-14T00:41:00.002-07:00

A must watch video :
Pulitzer Prize writer Chris Hedges eloquently takes down Right Wing Embarrassment to Canada Kevin O'Leary while discussing the Occupy Wall Street movement.
I found Hedges' intelligence + composure under pressure complete admirable.
He's a new favourite nerd.

Addendum!

Mina from Sending Postcards let me know that the cbc budsman found O' leary's remark to a breach of policy and offered a formal apology to Chris Hedges. yay.

Read the satisfying article here.

A visit to Telegramme

2011-10-14T00:41:00.001-07:00

Dropped off some more prints at Telegramme today.

Here is the very sweet Patrick.

There is lots of great new stuff in the shop including a bunch of fabulous posters from Cuba plus work by Aesthetic Apparatus, Doublenaut, + Shinzi Katoh. Definitely worth a visit.

Telegramme Prints
194 Ossington Ave Toronto (Just south of Dundas)

joe fresh

2011-10-12T21:27:00.001-07:00

The epitome of joe fresh style:
Camel v neck, dark skinny jeans, and flat oxfords.

joe fresh opened a new location at Queen + Portland this week. Crowds lined up around the store for 14.99 long sleeved tees + thermal long johns. Madness! I thought this salesgirl epitomized the look. Would love to do a drawing of her...

Wonderful evening with some great women

2011-10-12T21:24:00.002-07:00

Rainy night + red wine + chili + great woman = fun.

Kim + Jennifer

Colleen + Janet

Donna

Colleen deep in thought.

Janet + Donna

Wonderful evening with Janet, Kim, Jennifer, Colleen, + Donna... all of whom will probably kill me when they discover that I posted pictures of them.

On finishing a big something

2011-10-07T22:29:00.000-07:00

Vladimir Nabokov once wrote, in a letter, that when he’d finished a novel he felt like a house after the movers had carried out the grand piano.

2011-10-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.
And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.
They somehow already know what you truly want to become.

From his 2005 Standford Commencement Address. Quite moving.
You can watch it here.

Meeting Araceli

2011-10-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

Meeting Araceli

Delicious lunch at Rustic Cosmo Cafe

2011-10-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

2011-10-05T21:37:00.000-07:00

"Much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on.”
- Steve Jobs

New work: Bathroom mural

2011-10-05T19:40:00.001-07:00

Take some very plain periwinkle blue walls

Add sketches inspired by Josef Frank + my flowers from Underground Organics
+ coffee + Stephen Sondheim music

Ta da.

Ta da again.

A Close up.

PBS Video

2011-10-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

Tons of great video here.

Pinterest explained by Alexia Tsotsis

2011-10-04T22:23:00.000-07:00

Good article about Pinterest by Alexia Tsotsis on Tech Crunch.
She suggests that the reason the tech press haven't quite caught onto the Pinterest phenomenon is because women users were first on the bandwagon and are still sadly marginalized.
I agree. She also uses Maslow's hierarchy of needs to explain Pinterest's addictive appeal.

Creative Mornings turns 3

2011-10-04T12:55:00.001-07:00

Creative Mornings is celebrating it's 3rd birthday this week + wow look has much it has grown. What started as a humble 50-person event at Studiomates in 2009 has grown into a 17-chapter global adventure! (now including Vancouver but not Toronto - yet!) If I could zip around the world this month I'd love to listen to Olimpia Zagnoli in Milan and Kate Bingaman Burt in Oregon.

Photos from my Open House

2011-10-04T07:03:00.000-07:00

We-e-e-e!

Victoria Adilman and Colleen Nicholson
Such beauties!

Little Ms. Lepik, Fabio Mikai+ Wendy Banks, Marnie's great librarian shoes + Jen Tindall

Neighbours Chris Stevens, Holly Luhning and Lauren Goldman
All Artscapers!!

Ed Pien (another Artscaper - yay!) and Fabio

Eric Farache + Wendy Banks

Chris showing us his well known ipad App Alice in New York!

Thanks to everyone who came to my Open House. It was great to meet many of you for the first time and you all helped to make it a special evening.
Extra thanks to Melanie Redman + Kim (Flaherty) for booze + food pick up and Whirling Dervish set up!
Could not have done it without you. xxx

OPEN STUDIO tonight

2011-09-30T08:01:00.001-07:00

5-8pm ish
For more details click here.
Please RSVP to alanna(dot)cavanagh(at)gmail(dot)com.
See you tonight.

Stephen Sondheim

2011-09-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

Stephen Sondheim. No words for how I feel about this guy.

I'm painting a mural this afternoon and when I do I need to listen to intense broadway tunes!
Just found this BBC Sondheim celebration on You tube. I can never ever listen to his lyrics and not cry. Especially from Sunday and the Park with George.
"Look I made a hat... where there never was a hat." Killer.

Sketch

2011-09-29T00:26:00.000-07:00

Stop the presses: I chose a floor today

2011-09-28T23:47:00.000-07:00

Look at those knots! Yum!

Yes what a shocker. After months of research I finally chose a floor for my home. It's from Kultur and is a wide plank Natural Red Oak in a gorgeous "loft grade". Was thrilled to find a company that did a 3rd grade with tons of knots and variations in colour plus ... the floor was very affordable because the company has gone into receivership. SCORE!

A huge thank you to Amanda from the very wonderful Gus studio who put me on to Kultur. Recently her home was featured on Design Sponge and as you can see she also did a gorgeous Kulter loft grade in maple.
If all goes well the floor will be installed in 3 weeks.

ps. Also a huge thank you to M + Kim. You know who you are. :-) xxx

File under stuff to remember: Take this Sofa

2011-09-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

Take this Sofa is a great site where Claire lists the fabulous decor items that she finds on Craig's list.

Tonight

2011-09-27T20:50:00.000-07:00

Tonight I went to the launch of my friend Ray's book Why not?: Fifteen Reason to live.

Ray and I met many moons ago as students at U. of T. - where we were both pursuing hopelessly impractical humanities degrees. (Philosophy, art history and comparative religion anyone?!) I have always been pleased to see that he put his to such good use!

The subject matter of the book is very close to my heart so I was inspired to dive in the minute I got home. So far the book is absorbing, insightful and also very funny. + ps. Just nominated for Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction! Way to go Ray.

Underground Organics - So gorgeous!

2011-09-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

Shane Eby of Underground Organics

What vibrant pinks + oranges!

Great bouquet coming home in my bicycle basket
Aren't those green ones great? Very 'Dr. Seuss' .
(Shane told me they were poppies. (?) Must research this...)

At home. Just love the organic nature of the arrangement.

Today I went to the farmers market at Trinity Bellwoods park and was completely bowled over by the gorgeous flowers sold by Underground Organics. The intense colours + quirky nature of the flowers was really striking - and I love that they're organic! Just had to take some home with me. Hope to pick up some more Thursday afternoon at the Dufferin Grove farmer's market to have for my open house Friday. (Doubt I'll make it tho'!) ps. Just learned on the website that Underground Organics = Julia Hitchcock, Shane Eby + Dan Riegler.

I'm in desperate need of a Twitter lesson

2011-09-27T07:36:00.001-07:00

This morn Munge Leung tweeted this nice note re my blog post and I'm sure I messed up the reply. Still don't really know how to use twitter. Blush.

Here's your chance to peek inside my studio....

2011-09-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

In association with nationwide Cultural Days I'm hosting:
What: Open House at my studio.
When: This Friday September 30th 5-8pm.
Where: 38 Abell St. Studio 209
Come check out my studio, have a glass of wine and learn more about the silk screen process.
My screens + ink will be on display and prints + greeting cards will be for sale.
Please RSVP to this post or by emailing alanna(dot)cavanagh(at)gmail(dot)com
by Wed September 28th.

Way to go Emma

2011-09-25T18:33:00.001-07:00

I cracked open the Globe's Style Section on Saturday afternoon and was so pleased to see a HUGE photo of Emma Reddington's bedroom. It appeared in Deirdre Kelly's ongoing series "My Favourite Room". Way to go Emma.

New work: Woman's Day magazine

2011-09-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

Here's an illo I created for Woman's Day magazine on How to conquer your Compulsions.
I drew a woman addicted to the Internet. Here she is... pinning kitchens to Pinterest! :-)
Art director: Sarina Green

Gorgeous Textiles

2011-09-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

British Diamond pattern by Galbraith + Paul.

Mist by Allegra Hicks

New work: Kneesocks

2011-09-22T08:08:00.001-07:00

Initial Sketch and below some colour variations

1. Green socks + brogues

2. Argyle socks + brogues

3. Daisy shoes

I never tire of drawing shoes + legs. I'm going to make one of these into a silk screen print.
Which is your favourite?
Thanks for your feedback!

Munge Leung + Mercatto

2011-09-21T08:51:00.001-07:00

Mercattos' great murals and signage by Illustrator Anson Liaw.

Love love this counter made outta reclaimed wood.
(It's on the "make it myself one day" list)

Just loved their mix of worn wood, marble and steel. Very warm.
(The mix of textures reminded me alot of Commute Home)

Great lighting.

The guys.

On Sunday I posted about loving the interior design of Mercatto restaurants and right away Smarty pants Jennifer Flores of Rambling Renovators let me know that they were designed by Design duo Munge Leung. (Alessandro Munge actually presented at the first PechaKucha which Jennifer organized in 2007. Neat!)) In Toronto Munge Leung also designed La Societe plus many other stunning interiors which you can see on their website. If I won the lottery I'd ask them to drop everything and renovate my loft. I know...in my dreams.
Thanks again Jennifer - your design saaviness (sp?) is impressive!

Fun.

2011-09-20T22:14:00.000-07:00

The Toronto Review of Books held their launch party tonight and boy was it fun. Writers Wendy Banks, Jason Mcbride, Alison Rose, Graham F. Scott, Ivor Tossel, Ewan Whyte, Tabatha Southey, Shawn Micallef + many others made for an evening of scintillating conversation + good company. Plus it was so nice to be in Massey College - one the city's hidden gems. Thanks to the Editor of the Review Jessica (Duffin Wolfe) for organizing such a fantastic evening.

Toronto Review of books

2011-09-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

Toronto Review of books launched today.